A lumpectomy is one type of surgery for breast cancer. The malignant tumor and a surrounding margin of normal breast tissue are removed. Lymph nodes in the armpit (axilla) may also be removed.

Lumpectomy is a surgical treatment for newly diagnosed breast cancer. It is estimated that at least 50% of women with breast cancer are good candidates for this procedure. The location, size, and type of tumor are of primary importance when considering breast cancer surgery options. The size of the breast is another variable. The patient's psychological outlook, as well as her lifestyle choices, should also be taken into account when treatment decisions are made.

The severity of a cancer is evaluated or "staged" according to a fairly complex system. This considers the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread directly to adjacent tissues, such as the chest wall, the lymph nodes, and/or...